Supporting stand for business machines



Oct. 17, 1933. D. P. ROWLAND SUPPORTING STAND FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Filed Dec. 30, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR fllui' 777 P Row/and M M KiW7 4 17 ATTORNEYS Oct. 17, 1933. D. P. ROWLAND SUPPORTING STAND FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Filed Dec. 30, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INYENTOR Dwiqhi 7? Rowland BY 1 .4444, M? M ATTORNEYS Qc t. 17, 1933. D. P. ROWLAND ,93 8

SUPPORTING STAND FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Filed Dec. 30, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR V 1019??? Pfiowiami ATTORNEYS 1933- D. P. ROWLAND 1,931,118

SUPPORTING STAND FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Filed Dec. 30; 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR I M4 1044 12 ffima? ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 17, 1933 g f UNITED STATESPATENT orrlca,

- SUPPORTING STAND FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Dwight r. Rowland, Detroit, Mich; assignor to Burroughs Adding Machine Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application December 30, 1931. Serial No. 583,829

7 Claims. (01. 45-117) This invention relates to a supporting stand stand'of the character described a means for for business machines such as calculating or bookquickly and easily levelling the stand when it keeping machines having carriages that are taburests on an uneven surface. i

.ated across the machine while it is being op- Other objectsand advantages of the invention erated. I will appear from the following specification and 50 Much dimculty has been encounteredin prodrawings. L 1

viding a stand for this class of machine which Anembodiment of the invention'isshowninthe has suflicient rigidity. A bookkeeping machine is accompanying drawings in which; fairly heavy and this heavy mass must be sup- 'Figure 1 is a perspective view' of one species of ported at a considerable height above the floor. the stand in completed assembled condition. 55 The base of the supporting standv cannot extend" Fig. 2 is a separated perspective of the stand forward to the front of the machine as space showniriFig. 1. must be left for the knees of an operator. This Fig. 3' is a separated perspective of the adjustmeans that the stand has arelatively small base. ins Sho fo leveling t S n w ts on When the paper carriage of one of these machines an uneven surface. 1 i 79 is stopped in being tabulated from column to Fig.4 isa partial sectional elevation showing column, or after having skipped two or three how the diagonal brace pieces are connected to 1 columns, or when it is returnedacross the mathe side pieces. I a a chine, the jar of stopping the carriage tends to Fig. 5 isa 'perspective view of anotherspecies' vibrate the machine when it is supported on a of the stand. 75 stand. This moves the amount keys slightly Fig. 6 is a separated perspective of the stand under the eyes of the operator and interferes with illustrated in Fig. 5- I i rapid operation. Furthermore, these stands The-first point to be notedis-that a minimum usually support .a paper table at the side on which number of parts are ed B- ystacks of checks or other papers may be supported g d ty. It s p b that, b p ovidins 8 and .the jar of stopping the carriage-sometimes tude of cross braces between t e verticalstandshakes down the stackof papers and confuses ards of a stand of this character. rigidity could them. It is very desirable to have a stand that beobtained, but the problem is to obtain the is absolutely rigid, but, of course, the stand canrequisite rigidity with a minimum number of not be made extremely heavy because it hasto parts of light weight, the-whole construction bebe moved from place to placeabout an ofllce.- ing such that the various parts of the stand, It should notbe made expensive and it should be when separated from each other, are substantialmade so that it can be shipped easily in a flat ly flat so that the parts can be shipped in a small package and assembled quickly when it arrives at flat package. t p 5 its destination. Heretofore these stands have Referring to Fig. 1, it will be observed that the 90? almost universally been made of round metal stand comprises four comer posts or standards bars or tubing and, while a great deal of efl'ort 10, 11, 12 and 13. The front comer postal!) and has been expended to make these stands rigid, 12 are joined by diagonal braces 14 and 15 which they have never been as rigid as desirable- The extend from nearthe top of onei'rontcorner post 4 present-invention is directed to-a solution of this to the bottom of the opposite front corner post. 95 problem and the manner in which this problem A horizontal cross brace 16, extends between the is solved will appear as the description profront corner posts near the bottoms thereof. greases. i The rear comer posts of the species shown in v The general object of the invention is to pro- Fig. 1 are joined by diagonal cross braces 17 and vide an improved supporting stand for business 18 and'by, a horizontal cross brace ,19.- ,-'Ihis is machines. a I the preferred construction, but it has been'fouud A more particular object is to provide an imthat, forstands for lighter machines, the. cross proved stand that is extremely rigid and at th braces illustrated in-Fig. 5 are-sufllcient between M same time light and inexpensive. the rear corner posts,,that is, a horizontal cross 1 A further object is to provide an improved brace 82 near the top and asimilar horiaontal 105 stand that is made of a minimum number of brace 83 near the bottom of therearcorner posts. pieces which can be shipped in a flat package The cross'brace construction described unites and then quickly assembled into a completed the two front corner posts. and thetwo rearcorstand. ner posts into rigid structures which are firmly" A still further object is to provide on a business braced against swaying sidewise.

The front and rear corner posts, Fig. l. on each side of the stand are Joined by upper side bars 22 and 23 and by lower side bars 24 and 25. These aide bars prevent forward and backward swaying of the stand. there being a smaller tendency for the stand to sway backward and forward than to sway sidewise owing to the fact that the jar of stopping the paper carriage causes a side Viewed as an entirety the bracing construction is such that it also serves to prevent twisting or weavingmovement of the stand.

Another point to note is that the stand is made of metal tubing of rectangular cross section.

While a given length of rectangular metal tubing is apparently no more rigid than the same length of round metal tubing of the same specifications,

it has been found. after considerable experiment, that a stand built of rectangular metal tubing has a great deal more rigidity than one made, of round metal tubing. The reason for this appears to be due. in part, at least, to the fact that the rectangular metal tubing provides flat faces of contact at the points where the various pieces making up the stand are connected together.

Alsothe endsofthecrossbracescanbemade flat and they are of considerable area. These fiat ends abut against flat faces on the vertical pieces making'up the sides and ends of the stand. when the parts are clamped together these fiat abutting faces with their relatively large area of contact tend to'prevent swaying and-weaving of the stand.

A further advantage obtained from the use of rectangular tubing is that the tubing can be easily welded together so that the stand can bemade of a minimum number of-integral pieces. The making of various portions of the stand integral eliminates relative movement between the various pieces of tubing making up the integral parts and thus assists in securing greater rigidity.

The description heretofore given visualizes the stand in. its broader aspects and is applicable to all species. Two species have been illustrated and it is to be noted that, in'bcth species, the stand is made u'p of only four pieces, the nuts and washers for fastening the pieces together not being considered as actual pieces of the stand.

but merely as fastening means for connecting the four pieces together. The species illustrated in united with'the upper and lower side bars 22 and '24. These four parts form an integral unit. The

rear corner post 11 extends below the side bar 24 to form a left rear foot and the lower side bar 24 extends forward and downward to form a left front foot 31. The upper side bar 22 extends forward beyond the front corner post 10 and this front end is provided with an inwardly extending shelf or platform 32 for receiving the left front foot of a business machine. Extending inwardly from the rear end of side bar 22 is another shelf or platform 33 provided with a slot in which is mounted an adjustable cup 34 adapted to receive the left rear foot of a business machine. The'cup 34 is adjustable sideways in the slot in platform 33 and its height may also be varied by adjusting the nut that holds it in means The right side piece includes the mint and rear corner posts or standards 12 and 13 integrally united with the top and bottom side bars 23 and 25. The rear standard 13 extends downward to form a rear right foot 35 and the lower side bar 25 extends forward and downward to form a lower right front foot 36. The upper side bar 23 extends forward beyond the vertical standard 12 and is provided with an inwardly extending platform 3'! forming a support for the right front foot of a business machine. The side bar 23 has a rear inwardlyextending i iatform 33 that forms a support for the right rear foot of a machine. The rear platform 38 is provided with an adjustable cup 39 similar to the cup 34.

It will be noted that the front'platforms 32 and 3'! are lower than the rear platforms 33 and 38 so as to give the machine a pitch that is essential to comfortable operatiom The front cross brace unit comprises the two diagonal braces 14 and 15 which are integrally united to make an X-shaped piece. The two diagonalmembers are cut out, fitted together, and then welded together to make one rigid X- shaped piece. The horizontal cross brace 16 is welded to-the lower arms of the X-shaped piece' thus making up an integral cross brace piece adapted to unite the front ends of the two side places. It willbe readily appreciated that this construction prevents any weaving or twisting relative to one another of the members making up the bracing unit.

The rear bracing unit is a duplicate of the front unit. It comprises the two diagonal braces 1'! and 18 which are integrally united to form an X-shaped piece having its lower arms united by the horizontal" brace 19 which is integrally connected to them. r v

The front and rear bracing units are interchangeable and hence, in manufacturing, it is not necessary to make two different kinds of units for the front and the rear of the stand.

It will be noted that each of the four pieces Just described is substantially flat which enables them to be neatly packed for shipping in a relatively small flat box. I

The four pieces making up the stand can be quickly and securely fastened together by means of bolts and washers illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. It is to be observed that the ends of the diagonal members making up the crom pieces and the ends of the horisontalfmembers are flat and of relatively large area. These flat faces abut against the flat faces of the side pieces. The ends of the rear crow brace unit abut directly against the faces of the vertical standards 11 and 13, but.

because the front vertical standards 10 and 12 are of slightly smaller cross section than the rear standards, it is necessary to interpose fiat channel ards are made the same size as the rear standards,

the front cross brace unit abuts directly against the inner side faces of the vertical members 10 and 12.

For the purpose of enabling the cross brace units to be bolted to the side pieces, suitable nuts are fastened in the ends of the pieces of metal tubing making up the cross brace units as illustrated in Fig. 4. Preferably, these nuts are fitted into the ends of the tubes and welded in place so as to form an integral part of the cross brace structure. I

The front cross brace unit is united to the vertical standard or corner posts 10 and 12 by means: of bolts which pass through channel-shaped washers 51 that fltover the outside of the'vertical standards, the bolts passing through similar washers 52 fitting the inside of the standards. The bolts are screwed into the nuts in the. ends of the tubing of the cross brace units. The outer channel-shaped washers are countersunk at 53 (Fig. 4) and their countersunk portions fltintc holes 54 in the vertical standards so that the heads of the bolts are flush with or below the outer face of the washers. This gives thestand a neat appearance and tends to hold the washers more securely and more properly. in

The rear cross piece is fastened to vertical standards Hand 13 by similar bolts55 passing through channel-shaped washers 56 havin countersunkopeningssimllartothoseoftheouter washersat the front. Y

The construction just described provides a stand comprising only four pieces. Each piece is made-of rectangular metal tubing and each is integral. Each piece is very light and the whole stand. relatively speaking, is quite light. The pieces are substantially flat when the stand is knocked down and may be shipped in a relatively small fiatbox. The integral natureof the side pieces prevents any back and forward movement between the vertical standards. The integral nature of the cross braces-prevents'any' weaving or twisting movement of these braces and makes for rigidity.- When the are con.-

nected together the brace pieces are so located andaresorigidthatnoswayingofthestand takes place. The flat -faces that abut one another in the connecting of the cross brace units to the side pieces and the relatively large area of the flat en aging faces tends to prevent any weaving or twisting of the stand, the total result being that avery light and rigid stand isprovided which is constructed in such a manner that it is relatively inexpensive, easy to assemble and knock down and capable of being conveniently packed for shipment. 1

The species illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 differs in its construction from the species just described but, nevertheless, it is made of only four pieces and these four pieces individually and collectively have the same advantages as those heretofore described. if

.Ihe leftillustrated as right sidefpieces of the stand in Pig. 6 include only one vertical member. These two side piecesare joined. by a cross brace unit of the same kind as those heretofore described. The stand is then provided with a rear piece or section which includes two rear corner posts that are joined together by upper and lower horizontal cross braces.

The left side piece of Fig. 6 comprises'a vertical corner post or standard 60 which supports a top horizontal side bar 61. Both the standard and the. side bar are made of rectangular metal tubing. The side bar 61 extends both to the front and rear of the standard 60 andit has front and rear inwardly. extending platforms 62 and 63 forming supports for the feetof a businessmachine. Integrally united to the lowerend of the standard 60 is a bottom horizontal side bar 64 that extends both. to the front and the rear: of the standard 60, said bar being made of rectangular metal tubing. The forwardly extending portion is inclined downward to form. a front foot 65. i j The right side piece of Fig. 6 comprises-a vertical standard 66 which supports a top sidebar of the parts is made of rectangular metal tubing.

67 integrally united to it and extending both to the front and rear of the vertical member 66. The two parts are made of rectangular metal tubing. The top side bar 67 carries front and rear inwardly extendin platforms 66 and 69 for 'receiving the. feet .of a business machine. Integrally united to-the lower end of the standard 66 isthe bottom side bar '10 which extends both to the front and rear of the vertical standard 66. The front extension of this side is inclined downwardto forma right front foot '11. 1 i The cross brace unit comprises-the diagonal braces '12 and 73 which are integrally united together. The lower armsof the braces are integrally united by a horizontal cross piece '74. Each The rear section comprises the'rear cornerposts and 81 which are made of rectangular. metal tubing and which are joined by an upper horizontal crosspiece'82 and a lower horizontal cross piece-83=both of the cross pieces being of-reox-- tangular metal tubing and integrally united to the corner posts so that therear section comprises an integral unit. i Y

It will be observed that each of the sections making up this species is substantially flat and may be packed with the same, facility as the sec-, tions of the species first described. Also each of the sections is integral so thatall the parts mak-. ing it up are rigidly held together.

The parts making up this second species are fastened together. by. bolts and washers 84 and 85 of the same-kind'heretofore described and the. stand is assembled. by first uniting the side piecestogetherby means of the cross brace unit 116 and then connecting the rear section in place;

Thesestands are used in all sorts of, places and in many casesthe surface of the floor on which they muststand. is uneven. Thiszmakes it desirable to' have some means for compensating for the unevenness in theiloor and, for this pur-' pose, there has been provided a novel adjustment or shoe that may be-fltted on one or more of the-feet of the stand. .r' a

As illustrated in. Fig. .3, this shoe comprises a tubularmemberQO that telescopes over the lower end of one of thefeetsuch as the foot 35. The foot is slottedat 91 and the telescoping member 90 has similari slots 92 of somewhat smaller size. a

Positioned in the slots is a rotatable pin 93 earry- 126 ing an eccentric cam that engages in the slots in the endofthe foot 35. A head 95 is provided on this pin by'means of which it may be-tumed and which prevents the pin from moving through the slot; This head may be provided with openings 96 for the receipt of a nail or similar article for turning the head in the event itcannot be turned by graspingiltwith the fingers. The opposite end of the pin a screw -threadedat 97 for the receipt of a thumb nut '96 which bears against a washer 99 that engages the outer surface of the telescoping member 90.- when this shoe is in place it isheld in the position it occupiesby turning thethumb nut down slightly soas to clamp the partstogether. If it is desired to ad- V by the appended the thumb nut is tightened to hold the parts in Place.

These stands may or may not be provided with a shelf for the receipt of papers. Such a shelf has been illustrated in connection with the species shown in' Fig. l, but no shelf has been shown associated with the species of Figs. 5and 6, 8.1- though one may be provided if desired.

For the purpose of supporting such a shelf, the left upper side bar 22 (Fig. 2) isprovided with holes 100 for receiving bolts that connect the supporting brackets 101 and 102 to the side bar. Pivoted to these supporting brackets is a table 103 (Fig. 1) which may'occupy the horizontal, dotted-line, position illustratedinFig. 1 or be swung down to the side of the stand. For the Pu pose of supporting the table in 'its horizontal position, a toggle link mechanism l04is provided whichm'ay be broken to enable the. table to be. swung down vbesidethe stand. It is not necessary to understand the details of' this toggle mechanism foran understanding of the present invention as the mounting for the table is of the usual form heretofore employed.

.It is to be understood that the structure shown is for purposes of illustration only and that variations may be made in it without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined claims. I claim:

comprising four spaced corner. posts, a: diagonal brace. connected to each of the front co'rnerposts adjacent the top thereof, and extending diagonal- 1y downward and connected to the opposite front corner post adjacent the bottom thereof, braces connected .to and extending between the rear corner posts, bottom side bars connected to and extending from each of the front corner posts to thecorresponding rear-corner posts near the bottom of said posts, top side bars connected to and extending from each of the front corner posts to the corresponding rear corner posts adjacent the topsof said posts, said top sidebars extending forward beyond the'front posts, and indi vidual platforms supported at the top of said stand for receiving thefeetof a business machine.

2. A supporting stand for business -machines comprising four spaced corner posts, a diagonal brace connected to each of the front corner posts adjacent the top thereof and extending diagonally downward and connected to the opposite front corner post adjacent the bottom thereof, a horizontal cross brace extending between and connected to the front corner posts adjacent the bottom ends thereof, braces connecting the top and the bottom ends of the rear corner poststogether, bottom side bars connected to and ex- 7 tending from each of the front corner posts and the corresponding rear corner posts near the bottoms thereof, top sidebars connected to and extending from each of thefront corner posts to the corresponding rear cornerposts near the'tops thereof, said top side bars extending forward beyond the front corner 'posts, and individual platforms supported at the top or said stand for receiving the feet of a business machine.

3. A supporting stand for business machines comprising four *corner posts having flat abut-'- ment faces for receiving the ends of cross braces,

diagonal braces connecting the front corner posts,'each of'said braces extending from a point adjacent the top of one of the front corner posts to a point-adjacent the bottom of the opposite corner post, a horizontal cross brace connected 1. A supporting stand. for business machines to the front corner posts near the bottoms thereof, said diagonal'braces and said cross brace having fiat ends of substantial area abutting the flat abutment faces of said corner posts, rear braces connected to and extending between the rear corner posts, said rear braces h'aving'ilat ends of substantial area abutting the flat abutment faces on said rear corner posts, top side bars connected to and extending between'each of the front corner posts and its respective rear corner post near the bottoms'of said posts, top side bars connected to and extending between the front corner posts and the respective rear corner posts adjacent the tops of said posts,s'aidtop side bars extending forward beyond the front corner posts, and individual platforms supported bysaid stand atthe top thereof for receiving the feet of a business machine.

4. A supporting stand for business machines comprising four corner posts made of metal tubing of substantially rectangular cross section, diagonal cross braces connected to and extending between said front corner posts, each brace extending from near the top' ofone front corner post to near the bottom of the opposite front corner post, a horizontal cross brace connected to and extending between the front corner posts near the bottoms thereof, 'said diagonal braces and said horizontal brace being made of metal tubing of substantially rectangular section with the ends of said tubing flat and abutting the flat side faces of the metal tubing of said corner posts, braces of metal tubing 'of substantially rectangular section connected to and extending betweensaid rear corner posts with the ends-of said braces flat and abutting the fiat faces of the rear corner posts, bottom side bars of rectangular metal tubing connected to and extending between the front corner posts and the respective rear corner posts, top side bars of rectangular metal tubing connectedto and extending between the front corner posts and the respective rear corner posts near the tops of said posts, said top sidebars extending forward beyond the front corner posts, and individual platforms supported by said top side bars for receiving the feet of a business machine" T I 5. A supporting stand 'forbusiness machines made in four pieces comprising right and left a rear bracing piece-connected to and extending between said side pieces at the rear thereof. iv

6. A'supporting stand for business machines made of four pieces comprising right and left integral side pieces each of which comprises two vertical standards joined at'their-tops and at their bottoms by cross pieces, each of said side pieces being also provided with front and rear feet at 'their'bottom and with-front'and rear individual platforms at their top for receiving the feet of a business machine, said front platforms being supported at points forward of the front vertical standards of each side piece, a front brace piece connected to and extending between said side'pieces at the front, a rear bracepiece connected to and extending between said side pieces bottom bar inclined downwardly to form a front part, a third piece comprising a brace connected to and extending between said right and left side pieces, said brace piece comprising an X-shaped portion having its lower arms joined by a horizontal portion, and a fourth piece forming a rear section consisting of two vertical standards joined by upper and lower cross braces, said rear section being connected to the ends of the upper and lower bars of said right and left side sections.

DWIGHT P. ROWLAND. 

